During July, the Last Word On Sports NFL department will be analyzing the schedules of every team in the NFL and ranking each game in order of difficulty (with one being the most difficult). This series will be split up into the eight most difficult games (ranked 1-8) and the eight easiest games (ranked 9-16) for each team. In this article, the New York Giants most difficult games are the focus.
New York Giants Most Difficult Games in 2016
1. Week 4 at Vikings
The Vikings embarrassed the Giants in Week 16 last season as Odell Beckham Jr. served his one-game suspension. The game should be much closer this year now that Beckham Jr. should be able to play, but Minnesota still has one of the best defenses in the league. While the Giants bolstered the interior defensive line with the addition of Damon Harrison, the team still has serious questions at the linebacker position. Adrian Peterson is one of the best running backs in the league and he could have a huge game if the linebackers struggle. This is an extremely tough matchup for New York and it is on the road, so it deserves the label of the toughest game for the Giants in 2016.
2. Week 13 at Steelers
The Steelers have one of the best offenses in the game and Heinz Field is always a difficult place to play at. Le’Veon Bell is returning from injury and Pittsburgh added Ladarius Green in the off-season, so the possibilities are frightening. Both teams should put up big numbers, as neither defense is very good. The cold December weather probably hurts the Giants more, as New York hasn’t established an impactful running game in years. The Giants match up better against the Steelers than they do against the Vikings, so Minnesota has a slight edge in the difficulty department.
3. Week 5 at Packers
Like the Steelers, the Packers have one of the best offenses in the league and playing at Lambeau Field is always a challenge. Aaron Rodgers is a top three quarterback at worst and the Packers offense should be as dynamic as ever with the return of Jordy Nelson. Since the game is being played in early October, the weather should allow Eli Manning to sling the ball without a problem, so the weather in Pittsburgh makes that game slightly more difficult.
4. Week 16 at Eagles
If the Eagles were a better team, this would probably be the most difficult game on the schedule. The Giants haven’t beaten the Eagles since 2013 and playing in Philadelphia has been particularly troubling. To top it off, this is a Thursday Night Football game that could have serious playoff implications because it is so late in the season. Tons of pressure will be on the Giants offensive line, as the Eagles defensive line is ferocious and has dominated them during the past couple seasons.
5. Week 10 vs. Bengals
While the Bengals haven’t been able to do anything in the playoffs, they are consistently one of the best teams in the league and that shouldn’t change this season. Fortunately for the Giants, this game is in East Rutherford. That being said, Cincinnati is very tough on both sides of the ball and they don’t have many weaknesses. Furthermore, Adam Jones and Vontaze Burfict are scrappy players (to put it nicely) who will try to get into Odell Beckham Jr.’s head. If they are successful, this one won’t be close.
6. Week 1 at Cowboys
Divisional games are always tough and the Giants haven’t fared well in Week 1 lately. Tony Romo should be healthy (for this game at least) and the Cowboys offense is frightening after the addition of Ezekiel Elliott. However, the Dallas defense will be without Demarcus Lawrence, Randy Gregory, and Rolando McClain for this battle, so the Giants offense should be frightening as well. This should be an epic shootout that will almost certainly end in dramatic fashion. It wouldn’t be a Giants-Cowboys game if it didn’t. This might be a divisional game, but the Bengals are certainly a more complete team than the Cowboys, so they have the difficulty advantage.
7. Week 7 at Rams
This game will be played in London, so the Giants have the advantage of only playing seven true road games this season. That being said, the Rams have one of the most dangerous defenses in the league and Jared Goff should be settling in by this point in the season. Expect a very physical game with plenty of late hits like the one between these teams in 2014. This is another game where Beckham, Jr. must maintain his composure because the Rams have a scrappy defense that will do anything to get into his head.
8. Week 17 at Redskins
This game could have huge playoff implications, and it comes right after the slugfest in Philadelphia. The addition of Josh Norman should be huge for the Redskins, and it will be interesting to see how he matches up with Beckham in a different defensive scheme. This should be a very close game, as the teams are evenly matched, and it might even decide the division. Jordan Reed will be the biggest problem on offense, but the Giants should be able to employ a more balanced offense because the Redskins defensive line is questionable.
Check out the New York Giants Easiest Games in 2016.
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